The keys to virtual kindergarten? Good planning and puppets ... lots of puppets

Delaware has spent the year pushing schools to offer some form of in-person learning. Students learn better in the classroom, Gov. John Carney has said repeatedly, especially Delaware’s youngest learners. But some of those youngest learners have already opted to study from home for the rest of the school year. At Joe Parrett’s own school, Wilbur Elementary in Bear, only 41% of families chose to return for in-person learning. Parrett and other teachers are left trying to solve a challenge that would have been unheard of a year ago – how do you teach five year olds to read and count through a screen? The answer includes plenty of dance breaks, silly names and voices, perfectly planned slideshows, and lots and lots of puppets.